RESIDENTS are being urged to take part in an initiative that aims to ‘alleviate stress, anxiety and depression’.

Teresa Carberry, Mayor of Mold, was inspired to join a partnership with KidsBank in Chester, to benefit those struggling in Flintshire.

She said: “At the start of my tenure as Mayor of Mold, I held a virtual Jo Cox Get Together, to celebrate some of the amazing women who have worked tirelessly to make our town, and the world, a better place to live and work.

“During the Get Together, someone asked if I knew who was setting up the KidsBank in Mold, akin to a Foodbank, but obviously directed at the youth of our society. I had to admit to not knowing anything on this matter.

“Following the event, the Mayor of Holywell, Cllr Lynda Carter and I, put our heads together and thought that Flintshire would indeed benefit from a baby bank.

“This led us quite literally on a journey to Chester and to the wonderful charity of KidsBank Chester who had been operating in Chester and surrounding areas for about a year but only recently begun to reach out to families in Flintshire.”

KidsBank Chester is a Christian organisation that aims to support local families in need, through the gifting of baby items, toiletries, nappies and clothes for 0-5-year olds.

The charity also provides a one off ‘Baby and Mum Hamper’, that includes a Moses basket, bedding, clothes for baby and toiletries for mum and baby. The recycling of toys, equipment and clothing also encourages and promotes sustainable living and as we all know, Wales is a world leader in recycling.

The Mold Mayor added: “After a series of meetings, correspondence and planning we now find ourselves ready to launch our Flintshire partnership with KidsBank Chester. Bilingual flyers, kindly sponsored by Flint and District Lions Club, are printed and ready for distribution; Cllr Carter has been offered a storage facility in Holywell (St Peter’s Church) and we now have one in Mold (at St. David’s RC Church) too.

“Referrals may be made through us, or a member of the Flintshire health and social services team, to the charity in Chester. Good communication and liaison are key in this venture. We are seeking sponsorship for a storage unit in Mold.

“To support this initiative and partnership, we simply ask that people donate to us, as you all did so generously with uniforms, the following items.

“All donations will help to alleviate parental stress, anxiety and depression, in turn helping children and instilling in them both confidence a sense of value.

“We cannot stress enough however, the need for each item to be in new or as new condition and where possible complete with manufacturer’s instructions.”

Items in need include:

• Cots: must have all their accompanying screws and bolts. No chipped paintwork

• Travel cots.

• Highchairs: must be in clean condition

• Moses Baskets: please ensure that the straps are not frayed due to wear and tear.

• Pressure Fit Stair Gates: They must be of this type.

• Double Buggies: in good, clean condition –no wobbly wheels or tired tyres

• NO prams, pushchairs or car seats.

• Donations for new cot/cot-bed mattress: £25 each

• Nappies, toiletries, cutlery and bedding will also be gratefully received

Teresa said: “As Christmas is fast approaching, Christmas jumpers and dresses, in excellent condition, would also be most welcome, together with NEW toys to gift to families at Christmas and Christmas gifts for mum/dad.

“We all thank you in advance and to use a quote I recently heard, “If you need to go fast, go alone, if you want to far, go together”.”